The North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety announced the purchase of new equipment to practice fire fighting - and the system comes complete with smoke, sound effects and a light system that rivals a KISS concert.

"The BullEx Digital Fire Attack Training System system comes complete with everything needed for firefighter training," according to public safety officials. "The waterproof panel uses five infrared sensors along with dynamic digital flames, available smoke generation and sound effects to provide an interactive training experience."

The training equipment also allows the firefighters to improve their ability to fight fires in condos and raised beach houses, according to public safety officials.

No longer confined to solitary training grounds, the equipment can be hooked up anywhere and the smoke and flames can be digitally extinguished.

It has has smoke, a good sound system, big flashing lights and can be taken anywhere, at any time.

It sounds like a great training system... or just an awesome night out on the town.

Sign of confusion

Some residents of Horry County might want to forget that the popular TLC show, "Welcome to Myrtle Manor," is filmed in their back yard.

Well now it will be easier, since the sign announcing that the show's production takes place at Patrick's Mobile Home Park on Highway 15 has vanished for a second time.

The $250 sign was also spirited away last year, just after the show's premier, and has never been found.

A good guess is that the signs are in someone's carry-on luggage or hanging in a nearby man cave, next to the neon boot advertising Pabst Blue Ribbon.

The show, which features such characters as the Wiener Girls, Jared and Mrs. Peggy, has been renewed for a third season and continues to attract a high number of viewers.

T-shirts, beer belts and coffee cups sporting the Myrtle Manor logo are also still selling like hot dogs at a yard sale.

People, just remember, taking the sign won't make the show go away.

Covering your assets

The hits just keep on coming for former S.C House Rep. Thad Viers (R-Horry County), as this week he was indicted on 14 charges of money laundering.

Viers, who was accused in 2012 of harassing his estranged girlfriend, Candace Bessinger, is now in hot water for possibly helping a man cover his $500,000 assets.

The man reportedly defaulted on a paving contract for I-95 and hid his holdings from an insurance company, who was hoping to collect a payment of $6 million, according to prosecutors.

The indictment said Viers fibbed to an IRS agent, saying the businessman never told him he was trying to hide assets.

It might be wise if Viers kept his assets out of trouble, at least for a little while.

He was arrested in 2012 after Bessinger said he would not stop contacting her and sending her text messages.

The woman was taken to the hospital and pictures released of a man who apparently was not aware he was snatching a purse in front of dozens of witnesses, in a crowded store, with surveillance cameras taking his picture the entire time.

Langston was caught after he was seen on camera and recognized by people who frequent Walmart.